Image processing apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and image processing method

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: estimate, for image information to undergo image processing, a first time in performing the image processing on the image information in accordance with a current setting for the image processing; and present, to a user, the first time, a candidate setting changeable from the current setting, and a second time in performing the image processing on the image information in accordance with the candidate setting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2022-041593 filed Mar. 16, 2022.

BACKGROUND (i) Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, anon-transitory computer readable medium, and an image processing method.

(ii) Related Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-079611describes technology enabling a user to easily know around whencooperative processing for executing multiple processing operationsstart and end.

SUMMARY

Although an operation for a setting has been performed for imageprocessing, the setting is changed to another setting on occasions. Inthis case, the new setting for the image processing is decided in such amanner that a setting is selected from candidate settings such ascharacter recognition and skew correction.

Note that a user sometimes does not comprehend that the change of theimage processing setting to the new setting leads to a change of animage processing time. Some new changed settings are likely to cause theuser to wait unexpectedly until the end of the image processing, andthus there is a room for improvement.

Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate toenabling a user to know an image processing time updated in response tothe changing of an image processing setting.

Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosureaddress the above advantages and/or other advantages not describedabove. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments are not requiredto address the advantages described above, and aspects of thenon-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure may not addressadvantages described above.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided animage processing apparatus including a processor configured to:estimate, for image information to undergo image processing, a firsttime in performing the image processing on the image information inaccordance with a current setting for the image processing; and present,to a user, the first time, a candidate setting changeable from thecurrent setting, and a second time in performing the image processing onthe image information in accordance with the candidate setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described indetail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of animage forming apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a first flowchart illustrating the flow of a control processexecuted by the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a second flowchart illustrating the flow of the controlprocess executed by the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first display example displayed on the display ofthe image forming apparatus;

FIG. 5 illustrates a second display example displayed on the display ofthe image forming apparatus;

FIG. 6 illustrates a third display example displayed on the display ofthe image forming apparatus;

FIG. 7 illustrates a fourth display example displayed on the display ofthe image forming apparatus;

FIG. 8 illustrates a fifth display example displayed on the display ofthe image forming apparatus;

FIG. 9 illustrates a sixth display example displayed on the display ofthe image forming apparatus; and

FIG. 10 is graph for explaining a relationship between a file size andan image processing time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus 20 taken as an example of animage processing apparatus according to this exemplary embodiment willbe described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of theimage forming apparatus 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus 20 includes acontroller 30 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus20. In the controller 30, a central processing unit (CPU) 31, a readonly memory (ROM) 32, a random access memory (RAM) 33, and aninput/output interface (I/O) 34 are connected to be able to communicatewith each other with a bus 35 interposed therebetween.

The CPU 31 runs various programs and controls the components of theimage forming apparatus 20. Specifically, the CPU 31 reads out a programfrom the ROM 32 or a memory 36 (described later) and runs the program byusing the RAM 33 as a work area. The CPU 31 controls the components andperforms various arithmetic operations in accordance with an appropriateone of the programs stored in the ROM 32 or the memory 36. The ROM 32 orthe memory 36 stores an image processing program for executing at leasta control process (described later). The image processing program may beinstalled in advance in the image forming apparatus 20 or may beappropriately installed in the image forming apparatus 20 in such amanner as to be stored in a nonvolatile storage medium or distributedvia a network. Conceivable examples of the nonvolatile storage mediuminclude a compact disk (CD)-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a hard diskdrive (HDD), a digital versatile disk (DVD)-ROM, a flash memory, and amemory card. The CPU 31 is an example of a processor.

The ROM 32 stores various programs and various pieces of data. The RAM33 serves as the work area and temporarily stores a program or data.

To the I/O 34, the memory 36, a display 37, an operation unit 38, adocument reading unit 39, an image forming unit 40, and a communicationunit 41 are connected. These components are connected to the CPU 31 tobe able to communicate with each other with the I/O 34 interposedtherebetween.

The memory 36 is configured from a memory device such as a HDD, a solidstate drive (SSD), or a flash memory and stores various programs andvarious pieces of data.

For the display 37, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organicelectro luminescence (EL) display is used. The display 37 integrally hasa touch panel.

The operation unit 38 is provided with various operation keys such as anumeric key pad and a start key.

The display 37 and the operation unit 38 receive various instructionsfrom a user of the image forming apparatus 20. Examples of the variousinstructions include an instruction to start document reading and aninstruction to start document copying. The display 37 displays variouspieces of information such as a result of processing performed inaccordance with an instruction received from the user and a notificationregarding the processing.

The document reading unit 39, one by one, takes in sheets of a documentplaced on the document feeder tray of an auto document feeder (notillustrated) provided on the upper portion of the image formingapparatus 20, and optically reads the taken sheet of the document toacquire image information. Alternatively, the document reading unit 39optically reads a document placed on a document glass such as platenglass to acquire image information.

The image forming unit 40 forms, on a recording medium such as papersheet, an image acquired based on the image information acquired by thereading by the document reading unit 39 or acquired from an externalpersonal computer (PC) or another apparatus connected via a network.

The communication unit 41 is an interface for performing communicationswith another apparatus. For example, a wired communication standard suchas Ethernet (registered trademark) or Fiber Distributed Data Interface(FDDI) or a wireless communication standard such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi(registered trademark) is used for the communications.

When running the image processing program described above, the imageforming apparatus 20 performs processing based on the image processingprogram by using the hardware resources described above.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts illustrating the flow of the controlprocess for controlling the display content of the display 37, thecontrol process being executed by the image forming apparatus 20. Thecontrol process is executed in such a manner that the CPU 31 reads outthe image processing program from the ROM 32 or the memory 36, loads theprogram into the RAM 33, and then runs the program.

In step S10, the CPU 31 calculates an estimated start time for a job. Inthis exemplary embodiment, a job to be executed by the image formingapparatus 20 is a scan job for performing scan and transmission. Forexample, the estimated start time for the scan job is calculated byreferring to an estimated end time for an active job in which the scanand transmission are being executed and a queued job that has beenqueued for execution of the scan and transmission. The process thenproceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the CPU 31 receives a setting for the image processing(hereinafter, referred to as an image processing setting). For example,the CPU 31 receives an image processing setting set by the user. Theimage processing setting is received through the setting screen forsetting an image processing setting. The process then proceeds to stepS12. As the image processing setting, for example, character recognition(so-called optical character recognition (OCR)), skew correction,automatic appropriate orientation, whether to compress an image, or aresolution change is received.

In step S12, the CPU 31 determines whether an instruction to startdocument reading is received. If the CPU 31 determines that theinstruction is received (YES in step S12), the process proceeds to stepS13. In contrast, if the CPU 31 determines that the instruction to startdocument reading is not received (NO in step S12), the process returnsto step S10. For example, if a predetermined operation for the scan andtransmission is performed on the operation unit 38, the CPU 31determines that an instruction to start document reading is received.

In step S13, the CPU 31 starts the document reading and acquires imageinformation to undergo the image processing. In this exemplaryembodiment, sheets of a document placed on the document feeder tray ofthe auto document feeder are read. The image information acquired by theCPU 31 is stored in the memory 36. The process then proceeds to stepS14. In this exemplary embodiment, time when the document reading isstarted corresponds to time when the scan job is started.

In step S14, the CPU 31 estimates an estimated end time for the scan jobfor the image information regarding the document read in step S13. Theestimated end time is estimated as time in performing the imageprocessing in accordance with a current setting that is the imageprocessing setting received in step S11. For example, the CPU 31estimates the estimated end time for the scan job by using the starttime of the scan job and an estimated processing time to be taken untilthe completion of the scan and transmission. The estimated processingtime is estimated from the feature of an image included in the imageinformation calculated by using a publicly known technology and acquiredin step S13. The process then proceeds to step S15. The estimated endtime in performing the image processing in accordance with the currentsetting is an example of a first time.

In step S15, the CPU 31 updates the display content of the display 37. Aspecific example of the display content will be described later. The CPU31 here updates the estimated end time for the scan job displayed on thedisplay 37. The process then proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, the CPU 31 determines whether the changing of the currentsetting is received. If the CPU 31 determines that the changing isreceived (YES in step S16), the process proceeds to step S17. Incontrast, if the CPU 31 determines that the current setting is notreceived (NO in step S16), the process proceeds to step S19. Forexample, if a setting different from the current setting is selected onthe reading screen (described later), the CPU 31 determines that thechanging of the current setting is received.

In step S17, the CPU 31 estimates the estimated end time for the scanjob. The estimated end time is estimated as time in performing the imageprocessing on the image information regarding the document read in stepS13, the image processing being performed in accordance with a candidatesetting changeable from the current setting the changing of which isreceived in step S16. The process then proceeds to step S18. Theestimated end time in performing the image processing in accordance withthe candidate setting is an example of a second time.

In step S18, the CPU 31 updates the display content of the display 37. Aspecific example of the display content will be described later. The CPU31 here updates the estimated end time for the scan job displayed on thedisplay 37. The process then proceeds to step S19.

In step S19, the CPU 31 determines whether the reading of all of thesheets is completed. If the CPU 31 determines that the reading iscompleted (YES in step S19), the process proceeds to step S20illustrated in FIG. 3 . In contrast, if the CPU 31 determines that thereading of all of the sheets is not completed (NO in step S19), theprocess returns to step S13. For example, if a predetermined time haselapsed since the feeding of all of the sheets of the document placed onthe document feeder tray of the auto document feeder is completed, theCPU 31 determines that the reading of all of the sheets is completed.

In step S20 illustrated in FIG. 3 , the CPU 31 updates the displaycontent of the display 37. Specific examples of the display content willbe described later. If step S20 is performed the first time round, theCPU 31 displays, on the display 37, the estimated end time for the scanjob estimated in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 2 . If step S20 isperformed the second time round or later, the CPU 31 updates theestimated end time for the scan job displayed on the display 37. Theprocess then proceeds to step S21.

In step S21, the CPU 31 performs the image processing on the imageinformation regarding the document stored in the memory 36. Performingthe image processing in step S21 causes the scan and transmission to adestination for the scan job. The process then proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the CPU 31 determines whether the image processing of allof the sheets of the document is completed. If the CPU 31 determinesthat the image processing is completed (YES in step S22), the controlprocess is terminated. In contrast, if the CPU 31 determines that theimage processing of all of the sheets of the document is not completed(NO in step S22), the process returns to step S20.

Display examples based on the control process illustrated in FIGS. 2 and3 will be described.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first display example displayed on the display 37of the image forming apparatus 20. For example, if a predeterminedoperation is performed on the operation unit 38 for an image processingsetting, the CPU 31 displays the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 4 onthe display 37.

An information display part 45 and a setting display part 50 aredisplayed on the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 4 .

The information display part 45 is a part for displaying informationappropriate for one of the screens of the image forming apparatus 20.Although the illustration of information displayed in the informationdisplay part 45 is omitted in FIG. 4 , information appropriate for thesetting screen is displayed in the information display part 45.

The setting display part 50 is a part for displaying information forperforming an image processing setting operation. For example, settingbuttons 51, an Enter button 52, a Back button 53, and a message 54 aredisplayed in the setting display part 50.

Each setting button 51 represents a setting includable in imageprocessing settings. For example, the setting buttons 51 include asetting button 51A representing a setting for processing A, a settingbutton 51B representing a setting for processing B, a setting button 51Crepresenting a setting for processing C, a setting button 51Drepresenting a setting for processing D, a setting button 51Erepresenting a setting for processing E, and a setting button 51Frepresenting a setting for processing F. FIG. 4 illustrates that asetting represented by the black setting button 51 of the settingbuttons 51 is included in the image processing setting for which thepredetermined operation has been performed and that settings representedby the white setting buttons 51 are not included in the image processingsetting. That is, the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 4 depicts theinclusion of the setting represented by the setting button 51A in theimage processing setting.

The CPU 31 displays, on the setting screen, a setting button 51 morehighly effecting an earlier estimated end time included in the settingbuttons 51 with priority over a setting button 51 less effecting anearlier estimated end time. In FIG. 4 , in the displaying with priority,a setting button 51 more high effecting an earlier estimated end time isdisposed in an upper portion of the display 37 and is made larger.

Further, the CPU 31 displays information indicating how earlier anestimated end time is to be made, in each setting button 51 on thesetting screen. FIG. 4 illustrates, as the information, (High) in thesetting buttons 51A and 51B, (Medium) in the setting buttons 51C and51D, and (Low) in the setting buttons 51E and 51F.

The Enter button 52 is a button for establishing an image processingsetting on the setting screen.

The Back button 53 is a button for restoring the image processingsetting to a predetermined initial setting.

The message 54 represents various messages to the user. For example,FIG. 4 illustrates the message 54 “Will take XX seconds per pageaccording to this setting”. As described above, the message 54illustrated in FIG. 4 indicates that performing the image processing inaccordance with the image processing setting on the setting screen leadsto an estimated processing time per page of XX seconds.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second display example displayed on the display 37of the image forming apparatus 20. For example, if a predeterminedoperation for the scan and transmission is performed on the operationunit 38, the CPU 31 displays the reading screen illustrated in FIG. 5 onthe display 37.

On the reading screen illustrated in FIG. 5 , the information displaypart 45 and a setting changing part 60 are displayed. Although theillustration of information displayed in the information display part 45is omitted in FIG. 5 , information appropriate for the reading screen isdisplayed in the information display part 45.

The setting changing part 60 is a part for displaying information forchanging an image processing setting. For example, setting information61, an Enter button 62, and a message 63 are displayed in the settingchanging part 60 illustrated in FIG. 5 .

The setting information 61 indicates a current setting that has been setas an image processing setting on the setting screen and candidatesettings changeable from the current setting, in a form of a table. Thesetting information 61 has a record 61A representing the current settingand a record 61B, a record 61C, and a record 61D that representcandidate settings. The setting information 61 also has checkboxes anditems Name, Processing, and Estimated end time for each record describedabove.

Each checkbox is provided as a part for receiving the changing of animage processing setting made by the user. One checkbox is selectable inthis exemplary embodiment. On the reading screen illustrated in FIG. 5 ,the checkbox for the record 61C is checked. The reading screen thusindicates that the image processing setting set on the setting screen ischanged to the candidate setting represented by the record 61C.

The part for Name is provided for displaying the name of an imageprocessing setting for each record.

The part for Processing is provided for displaying the content of theimage processing setting in the record. Whether the processing A and theprocessing B are applied to the image processing is displayed inProcessing in FIG. 5 , but whether another processing such as theprocessing C or the processing D is applied may also be displayed inaddition to this.

The part for Estimated end time is provided for displaying an estimatedend time in performing the image processing in accordance with the imageprocessing setting in the record.

In FIG. 5 , the records 61C, 61D, and 61B are displayed as candidatesettings. The records 61C and 61D serve as candidate settings(hereinafter, referred to as earlier-time candidate settings) leading toan earlier estimated end time than the estimated end time in performingthe image processing in accordance with the current setting. The record61B serves as a candidate setting (later-time candidate setting) leadingto a later estimated end time. In addition, the records are arranged inreverse chronological order of the estimated end time from an upperportion to a lower portion of the display 37 in FIG. 5 . Specifically,in FIG. 5 , the record 61B, the record 61A, the record 61C, and therecord 61D are arranged in this order from the upper portion to thelower portion of the display 37.

The Enter button 62 is a button for establishing the changing of animage processing setting on the reading screen.

The message 63 represents various messages to the user. For example,FIG. 5 illustrates “Will end around 14:55 according to this setting”. Asdescribed above, the message 63 illustrated in FIG. 5 indicates thatimage processing to be performed in accordance with the candidatesetting represented in the record 61C will end around 14:55.

If there is a change in the record with the checked checkbox on thereading screen illustrated in FIG. 5 , the estimated end time displayedin the message 63 is changed in accordance with the change.Specifically, in this case, the estimated end time for the imageprocessing setting in the checked record is displayed as the message 63.Further, every time one of the sheets of the document is read, theestimated end times displayed in the setting information 61 and themessage 63 are changed on the reading screen. Specifically, in thiscase, every time a sheet of the document is read, new estimated endtimes each obtained by adding the corresponding estimated processingtime per read sheet to the latest estimated end time is displayed as thesetting information 61 and the message 63.

The display example of the reading screen is not limited to the exampleillustrated in FIG. 5 and may be, for example, as follows. The sameexplanation as the explanation given with reference to FIG. 5 isomitted.

FIG. 6 illustrates a third display example displayed on the display 37of the image forming apparatus 20.

The information display part 45 and the setting changing part 60 aredisplayed on the reading screen illustrated in FIG. 6 . The settinginformation 61, the Enter button 62, and the message 63 are displayed inthe setting changing part 60.

The setting information 61 illustrated in FIG. 6 has a larger number ofrecords than those in FIG. 5 , and thus all of the records are notdisplayed within the reading screen. In this case, for example, inresponse to scrolling, page changing, or another operation, the recordsdisplayed on the reading screen are changed.

In FIG. 6 , a candidate setting leading to the earliest estimated endtime in performing the image processing (earliest-time candidatesetting) is displayed with priority among the candidate settings. InFIG. 6 , in the displaying with priority, the record 61D representingthe earliest-time candidate setting is displayed below and next to therecord 61A representing the current setting. Accordingly, in FIG. 6 ,the record 61A, the record 61D, the record 61C, and the record 61B aredisplayed in this order from the upper portion to the lower portion ofthe display 37. In this arrangement, the record 61A representing thecurrent setting is disposed in the top row, and the record 61B, therecord 61C, and the record 61D representing the candidate settings aredisposed below the record 61A in chronological order of the estimatedend time.

Further, in FIG. 6 , in the displaying with priority, the record 61Drepresenting the earliest-time candidate setting is displayed in adifferent form from that for the records 61B and 61C. The different formis expressed as hatching in FIG. 6 but may be expressed bydifferentiating the color, the character size, or the like, instead ofor in addition to this.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fourth display example displayed on the display 37of the image forming apparatus 20.

The information display part 45 and the setting changing part 60 aredisplayed on the reading screen illustrated in FIG. 7 . For example, theEnter button 62, setting buttons 64, a page designation button 65, aBack button 66, a pre-change time 67, and a post-change time 68 aredisplayed in the setting changing part 60.

Each setting button 64 is a button representing a candidate settingchangeable from the current setting. For example, the setting buttons 64include a setting button 64A representing a candidate setting forprocessing A, a setting button 64B representing a candidate setting forprocessing B, a setting button 64C representing a candidate setting forprocessing C, a setting button 64D representing a candidate setting forprocessing D, a setting button 64E representing a candidate setting forprocessing E, and a setting button 64F representing a candidate settingfor processing F. FIG. 7 illustrates that candidate settings representedby the white setting buttons 64 of the setting buttons 64 have not beenincluded in the image processing setting. That is, the reading screenillustrated in FIG. 7 depicts the exclusion of the candidate settingsrepresented by the setting buttons 64 from the image processing setting.The reading screen is also displayed to receive the selection ofapplication or non-application of any of the setting buttons 64 to theimage processing by the user, and a setting button 64 selected forapplication is displayed in such a manner as to be filled with black.

The CPU 31 also displays, on the reading screen, the setting button 64more highly effecting an earlier estimated end time included in thesetting buttons 64 with priority over the setting button 64 lesseffecting an earlier estimated end time. In FIG. 7 , in the displayingwith priority, a setting button 64 more highly effecting an earlierestimated end time is disposed in an upper portion of the display 37 andis made larger. The displaying with priority is not limited to theabove, and the setting button 64 more highly effecting an earlierestimated end time may be expressed by changing a color, instead of orin addition to this.

Further, the CPU 31 displays information indicating how earlier anestimated end time is to be made, on the reading screen for each settingbutton 64. FIG. 7 illustrates, as the information, (High) in the settingbuttons 64A and 64B, (Medium) in the setting buttons 64C and 64D, and(Low) in the setting buttons 64E and 64F. The content of the charactersdisplayed as the information is not limited to the above, and theinformation may be indicated by displaying a symbol, instead of or inaddition to the characters.

The page designation button 65 is a button for designating a page ofimage information for performing the image processing in accordance withan image processing setting after the change (post-change imageprocessing setting). In response to the operation of the pagedesignation button 65, the CPU 31 displays, on the display 37, a screen(not illustrated) for designating the page of the image information andreceives page designation by the user on the screen. The page of theimage information is an example of a range of image information.

The Back button 66 is a button for restoring the post-change imageprocessing setting to the image processing setting set on the settingscreen.

The pre-change time 67 represents an estimated end time in performingthe image processing in accordance with the image processing setting seton the setting screen. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates “around 15:00”displayed as the pre-change time 67.

The post-change time 68 represents an estimated end time in performingthe image processing in accordance with the post-change image processingsetting. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates “around 14:50” displayed as thepost-change time 68.

If the application or non-application of the setting button 64 ischanged on the reading screen illustrated in FIG. 7 , the estimated endtime displayed in the post-change time 68 is changed. Specifically, inthis case, as the setting buttons 64 selected for application areincreased, the estimated end time displayed as the post-change time 68becomes later. As the setting buttons 64 selected for application aredecreased, the estimated end time displayed as the post-change time 68becomes earlier. In addition, every time a sheet of the document isread, the estimated end times displayed as the pre-change time 67 andthe post-change time 68 are changed on the reading screen. Specifically,in this case, every time a sheet of the document is read, new estimatedend times are respectively displayed as the pre-change time 67 and thepost-change time 68. Each new estimated end time is obtained by addingan estimated processing time per read sheet to the latest estimated endtime.

A display example after the Enter button 62 is operated on the readingscreen illustrated in any of FIGS. 5 to 7 will be described.

FIG. 8 illustrates a fifth display example displayed on the display 37of the image forming apparatus 20. For example, if the Enter button 62is operated on the reading screen illustrated in any of FIGS. 5 to 7 ,the CPU 31 displays a job information screen illustrated in FIG. 8 onthe display 37.

On the job information screen illustrated in FIG. 8 , the informationdisplay part 45 and a job display part 70 are displayed. Although theillustration of information displayed in the information display part 45is omitted in FIG. 8 , information appropriate for the job informationscreen is displayed in the information display part 45.

The job display part 70 is a part for displaying overview informationregarding a job execution of which is received. For example, a jobdisplay part 70A and a job display part 70B are displayed in the jobdisplay part 70.

The job display part 70A has the overview information “Scan andtransmission; Running; and Estimated end time: around 14:50” displayedtherein. As described above, the job display part 70A indicates that thejob is a scan job for scan and transmission, the scan job is beingexecuted, and the estimated end time for the scan job is around 14:50.

The job display part 70B has the overview information “Scan andTransmission; Queued; and Estimated end time: around 15:00” displayedtherein. As described above, the job display part 70B indicates that thejob is a scan job for scan and transmission, the scan job is queued, andthe estimated end time for the scan job is around 15:00.

The job display parts 70A and 70B also function as buttons fordisplaying detail information regarding a job. After the job displaypart 70A or 70B is operated, the CPU 31 displays a job detail screenindicating the detail information on the display 37.

FIG. 9 illustrates a sixth display example displayed on the display 37of the image forming apparatus 20. For example, if the job display part70A is operated on the job information screen illustrated in FIG. 8 ,the CPU 31 displays the job detail screen illustrated in FIG. 9 on thedisplay 37.

The information display part 45 and a job display part 80 are displayedon the job detail screen illustrated in FIG. 9 . Although theillustration of information displayed in the information display part 45is omitted in FIG. 9 , information appropriate for the job detail screenis displayed in the information display part 45.

The job display part 80 is a part for displaying the detail informationregarding the job corresponding to the job display part 70 operated onthe job information screen illustrated in FIG. 8 . For example, the jobdisplay part 80 includes a job-name display part 81, a user-name displaypart 82, a start-time display part 83, and an estimated-end-time displaypart 84.

The job-name display part 81 is a part for displaying a job name that isthe name of a job. For example, FIG. 9 illustrates “Job name; and Scan123” in the job-name display part 81.

The user-name display part 82 is a part for displaying a user name thatis the name of a user who gives an instruction to execute the job. Forexample, FIG. 9 illustrates “User name; and User A” displayed in theuser-name display part 82.

The start-time display part 83 is a part for displaying a start timewhen the execution of the job is started. For example, FIG. 9illustrates “Start time; and 14:45” displayed in the start-time displaypart 83.

The estimated-end-time display part 84 is a part for displaying anestimated end time for the job. For example, FIG. 9 illustrates“Estimated end time; and around 14:50” displayed in theestimated-end-time display part 84.

The estimated end time in performing the image processing in accordancewith the image processing setting set on the reading screen is displayedin the job display part 70 of the job information screen and the jobdisplay part 80 of the job detail screen. Thereafter, every time imageinformation regarding one of the sheets of the read document istransmitted after the scan page by page, the displayed estimated endtime is changed in the job display part 70 and the job display part 80.Specifically, in this case, every time the image information istransmitted after the scan page by page, the new estimated end time isdisplayed in the job display part 70 and the job display part 80. Thenew estimated end time is obtained by adding a difference between aprocessing time per page and an estimated processing time per read sheetto the estimated end time.

In the image forming apparatus 20, a document having multiple sheets isread by using the auto document feeder, and thereafter image processingof image information regarding the document is performed. There thusarises a time lag between the departure of the document from the hand ofthe user and the completion of the scan and transmission. In the imageforming apparatus 20, even an advance image processing setting ischanged to another image processing setting on occasions. In this case,the new setting for the image processing is decided in such a mannerthat a setting is selected from candidate settings such as characterrecognition and skew correction.

Note that the user sometimes does not comprehend that, for example, thechange of the image processing setting to the new setting leads to achange of an estimated end time. Some new changed image processingsettings are likely to cause the user to wait unexpectedly until thecompletion of the scan and transmission, and thus there is a room forimprovement.

Hence, the CPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 estimates, for theimage information to undergo the image processing, an estimated end timein performing the image processing in accordance with the currentsetting. The CPU 31 then presents, to the user, the estimated end time,candidate settings changeable from the current setting, and an estimatedend time in performing the image processing on the image information inaccordance with one of the candidate settings (see FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 ).With the image forming apparatus 20, the user may know an estimated endtime to be updated in response to the changing of the image processingsetting.

The CPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 also presents anearlier-time candidate setting and a later-time candidate setting to theuser. The earlier-time candidate setting leads to an earlier estimatedend time than an estimated end time in performing the image processingin accordance with the current setting, and the later-time candidatesetting leads to a later estimated end time than an estimated end timein performing the image processing in accordance with the currentsetting (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ). With the image forming apparatus 20, theuser may thus know estimated end times made earlier and later inresponse to the changing of the image processing setting.

If there are multiple earlier-time candidate settings, the CPU 31 of theimage forming apparatus 20 presents, to the user, the earliest-timecandidate setting with priority (see FIG. 6 ). With the image formingapparatus 20, the earliest-time candidate setting may thus draw moreattention from the user than in presenting the candidate settings in acommon form.

The CPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 also displays theearliest-time candidate setting next to the current setting (see FIG. 6). With the image forming apparatus 20, the user's line of sight thusmoves a shorter distance from the current setting to the earliest-timecandidate setting than in a case where the earliest-time candidatesetting is not disposed next to the current setting.

The CPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 also presents differentsettable candidate settings to the user. The CPU 31 receives selectionof application or non-application of a candidate setting to the imageprocessing by the user for each candidate setting (see FIG. 7 ). Withthe image forming apparatus 20, the user may thus know an estimated endtime for the candidate setting selected by the user.

The CPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 also presents, to the user,a candidate setting more highly effecting an earlier estimated end timeincluded in the candidate settings with priority over a candidatesetting less effecting an earlier estimated end time (see FIG. 7 ). Withthe image forming apparatus 20, the candidate setting more highlyeffecting an earlier estimated end time may thus draw more attentionfrom the user than in presenting the candidate settings in the commonform.

The CPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 also displays informationindicating how earlier an estimated end time is to be made, for eachcandidate setting (see FIG. 7 ). With the image forming apparatus 20,the user may thus know how earlier an estimated end time is to be madefor each candidate setting.

The CPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 also receives the changingof the current setting in a period from the start to the end of theimage information. With the image forming apparatus 20, the estimatedend time may thus be controlled during the reading of the imageinformation.

The CPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 also designates a page ofthe image information to undergo the image processing to be performed inaccordance with the candidate setting. With the image forming apparatus20, the estimated end time for the designated page of the imageinformation may thus be controlled.

Others

A relationship between a file size and an image processing time will bedescribed by using FIG. 10 .

FIG. 10 is a graph for explaining a relationship between a file size andan image processing time. In FIG. 10 , the image processing time is, forexample, an OCR processing time. In FIG. 10 , the vertical axisrepresents an OCR processing time (seconds), and the horizontal axisrepresents the file size (MB) of a document. In FIG. 10 , data d1expressed by a diamond represents data having a correlation between afile size and an OCR processing time, and data d2 expressed by a blacksquare represents data having no correlation between a file size and anOCR processing time.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 , as the file size becomes larger, the OCRprocessing time tends to become longer.

In a case where the image information of the read document has a featureof no correlation between a file size and an OCR processing time, theCPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 may perform pre-processing onthe image information and thereafter perform the image processing.Examples of the feature include at least partial inclusion of a photo inthe document, a background fog on the document, and at least partialinclusion of a table in the document. In this case, for example, the CPU31 removes the background fog of the image information in thepre-processing and thereafter performs the image processing on the imageinformation. With the image forming apparatus 20, the correlationbetween a file size and an OCR processing time may thus be improved, andan error between an estimated end time and the actual end time may bereduced as compared with the case where the image processing isperformed without the pre-processing.

In the exemplary embodiment above, the current setting is an imageprocessing setting set on the setting screen (see FIG. 4 ) but is notlimited to this. The current setting may be the initial setting for apredetermined image processing setting, without providing the settingscreen.

In the exemplary embodiment above, the earlier-time candidate settingsand the later-time candidate setting are presented to the user (seeFIGS. 5 and 6 ). However, the presented candidate settings are notlimited to these. One of the later-time candidate setting and eachearlier-time candidate setting may be presented to the user.

In the exemplary embodiment above, the record 61D representing theearliest-time candidate setting is displayed below and next to therecord 61A representing the current setting (see FIG. 6 ). However, theadjoining direction is not limited to the downward direction. Theearliest-time candidate setting may be displayed above, on the left sideof, or on the right side of the current setting and next thereto.

In the exemplary embodiment above, a page of the image information is anexample of a range of image information, but the range of the imageinformation is not limited to the page. An area of a page of the imageinformation may be designated as the range of the image information.

In the exemplary embodiment above, an estimated end time in performingthe image processing in accordance with the current setting is anexample of the first time. However, the first time is not limited tothis. An estimated processing time taken to complete the imageprocessing in accordance with the current setting may be an example ofthe first time.

In the exemplary embodiment above, an estimated end time in performingthe image processing in accordance with a candidate setting is anexample of the second time. However, the second time is not limited tothis. An estimated processing time taken to complete the imageprocessing in accordance with the candidate setting may be an example ofthe second time.

In the embodiments above, the term “processor” refers to hardware in abroad sense. Examples of the processor include general processors (e.g.,CPU: Central Processing Unit) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU:Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit,FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, and programmable logic device).

In the embodiments above, the term “processor” is broad enough toencompass one processor or plural processors in collaboration which arelocated physically apart from each other but may work cooperatively. Theorder of operations of the processor is not limited to one described inthe embodiments above, and may be changed.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure has been provided for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modificationsand variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the disclosure and its practical applications, therebyenabling others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure forvarious embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of thedisclosure be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: aprocessor configured to: estimate, for image information to undergoimage processing, a first time in performing the image processing on theimage information in accordance with a current setting for the imageprocessing; and present, to a user, the first time, a candidate settingchangeable from the current setting, and a second time in performing theimage processing on the image information in accordance with thecandidate setting.
 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein the processor is configured to: present at least one of anearlier-time candidate setting or a later-time candidate setting to theuser among a plurality of the candidate settings, the earlier-timecandidate setting leading to a second time earlier than the first timeamong a plurality of the second times, the later-time candidate settingleading a second time later than the first time among the plurality ofsecond times.
 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the processor is configured to: in response to a plurality ofthe earlier-time candidate settings, present an earliest-time candidatesetting included in the earlier-time candidate settings to the user withpriority, the earliest-time candidate setting leading to a second timethat is earliest of the second times.
 4. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to: displaythe earliest-time candidate setting next to the current setting.
 5. Theimage processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processoris configured to: present, to the user, a plurality of the candidatesettings for respective different settable image processing operations;and receive selection of application or non-application of one of thecandidate settings to the image processing, the selection being made bythe user and received for each of the candidate settings.
 6. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processor isconfigured to: present a candidate setting more highly effecting reducedtime for the image processing among the plurality of candidate settingsto the user with priority over a candidate setting less effecting thereduced time.
 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the processor is configured to: display information indicatinghow much time for the image processing is to be reduced, the informationbeing displayed for each candidate setting.
 8. The image processingapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to:display information indicating how much time for the image processing isto be reduced, the information being displayed for each candidatesetting.
 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe processor is configured to: receive changing of the current settingin a period from a start to an end of reading the image information. 10.The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein theprocessor is configured to: receive changing of the current setting in aperiod from a start to an end of reading the image information.
 11. Theimage processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processoris configured to: receive changing of the current setting in a periodfrom a start to an end of reading the image information.
 12. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processor isconfigured to: receive changing of the current setting in a period froma start to an end of reading the image information.
 13. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processor isconfigured to: receive changing of the current setting in a period froma start to an end of reading the image information.
 14. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processor isconfigured to: receive changing of the current setting in a period froma start to an end of reading the image information.
 15. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processor isconfigured to: receive changing of the current setting in a period froma start to an end of reading the image information.
 16. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the processor isconfigured to: receive changing of the current setting in a period froma start to an end of reading the image information.
 17. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to: designate a range of the image information to undergo theimage processing to be performed in accordance with the candidatesetting.
 18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the processor is configured to: designate a range of the imageinformation to undergo the image processing to be performed inaccordance with the candidate setting.
 19. A non-transitory computerreadable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute aprocess for image processing, the process comprising: estimating, forimage information to undergo image processing, a first time inperforming the image processing on the image information in accordancewith a current setting for the image processing; and presenting, to auser, the first time, a candidate setting changeable from the currentsetting, and a second time in performing the image processing on theimage information in accordance with the candidate setting.
 20. An imageprocessing method comprising: estimating, for image information toundergo image processing, a first time in performing the imageprocessing on the image information in accordance with a current settingfor the image processing; and presenting, to a user, the first time, acandidate setting changeable from the current setting, and a second timein performing the image processing on the image information inaccordance with the candidate setting.